The Extinction of Providence

Change that has no end of the tunnel

Regular readers know that Dredd Blog has essentially been saying that civilization is in danger because its means of international intercourse is in danger.

A government report from several years ago used language that also says just that: "Inundation of the state’s ports and railroads may reduce interstate access, affecting economic viability and potentially limiting imports and exports."

The thing about sea level change (SLC) is that it affects all sea ports around the world with either sea level fall (SLF) or sea level rise (SLR), or both, depending on their proximity to ice sheets (see the Series Tab at the top the post, under SEA LEVEL CHANGE and EXTINCTION, for many posts on the subject).

The Government of the state of Rhode Island indicated some years ago, the following:

Climate change has the potential to pose significant risks for Rhode Island’s water, wastewater, surface transportation, and energy infrastructures and utilities, our natural environment, and our health, welfare, and economic well-being.
...
Historically, most of Rhode Island’s development has occurred along the

It is not like a storm that eventually stops

coast and rivers; therefore the potential for the damage of a large number of homes and structures is substantial. A recent study determined that there are 2,705 housing units situated less than 1 meter (3.28 feet) above the Mean High Water (MHW) elevation along the Rhode Island shoreline (Strauss et al., 2012).

Rhode Island’s historic coastal and riverine villages, such as Wickford and Pawtuxet, are at particular risk, consisting of older buildings being located in vulnerable coastal areas. Sea level rise and storm-related flooding have the potential to displace a significant number of residents and cause the closing of a number of businesses and institutions, either permanently or for significant periods of time.
...
Sea level rise may lead to the permanent inundation of some of Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure, including port facilities, access roads, bridges, railroad tracks, airports, bike paths, ferry terminals and drainage systems. Such permanent breaks in the transportation network may lead to isolated communities that are disconnected from the rest of society and have no access to goods, services and employment. Inundation of the state’s ports and railroads may reduce interstate access, affecting economic viability and potentially limiting imports and exports. Sea level rise may also reduce navigational clearances for the state’s bridges, additionally limiting access.

(Rhode Island Gov Report, Nov. 2012, emphasis added). This is not something that is isolated to any one town, port, state, nation, or lifetime.

That is why the traditional reaction is unavailing (Why The Military Can't Defend Against The Invasion, Greenland & Antarctica Invade The United States, 2, 3, 4, The 1% May Face The Wrath of Sea Level Rise First,  Weekend Rebel Science Excursion - 44, Why Sea Level Rise May Be The Greatest Threat To Civilization, 2, 3, 4, 5).